We were lucky to catch up with Patricia Schnall Gutierrez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Patricia with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic developed from good advise from influential people in my life. My parents always said, “If you choose to do something, do it right.” I have carried that advice with me always. I also once had an art professor give me some advice during a time in my life when my children were small and I had little time to work. She said, “Just show up. The ideas and work will follow.” Sure enough, when you put yourself in an environment designated to work with few outside distractions, no matter how much time or space you have, the results come.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a multidisciplinary artist. My work includes drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, installation, performance, and film. My feminine-based approach to viewing and describing the world is based on personal memories, experiences, and historical references. I choose specific materials, objects, and mediums to translate my intent and the approach is often experimental. This conceptual process creates a deliberate dialogue with the viewer and keeps the work fresh and exciting for me. Every exhibition is an opportunity to share my work with others. Through October 2023, I have a solo exhibition focused on charcoal drawing at Blackship Gallery in Miami. Two upcoming solo exhibitions will feature installation at the Burchfield Penney Museum in Buffalo, NY and mixed- media with Aldo Castillo Gallery in Naples, Florida.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
My work all begins with writing down my ideas and preliminary drawings. I regularly review my notebooks and follow through on what I feel most passionate about. I then research topics important to each piece. I am determined to bring ideas to fruition. Realistically, making the work is just part of the journey of being an artist though. To develop a reputation, one must put in the groundwork to get the work out there. No matter where you are in your career, it is important to be aware of exhibition opportunities and to surround yourself with others in your field.
Like most professions, being successful at what you do is a matter of hard work, determination, and resilience. Nothing great ever comes easy.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
People find it hard to believe now but I was very shy as a kid. By the time I was born into my family line up, I was the youngest of five children and already an aunt. Although our family was large, my parents always made me feel special. They instilled in me the importance of a good education, a good work ethic, and a need to be “tough skinned”. Simple but good advice.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.psgarts.com
- Instagram: pschnallgutierrezstudio
- Facebook: Patricia Schnall Gutierrez-Artist
- Linkedin: Patricia Schnall Gutierrez
- Other: Studio Warehouse: 2007C Johnson St. Hollywood, FL 33020 Open by appointment: info@psgarts.com
